Build

The backyard oasis process

We approach every pool differently as defined by you, the client. We are committed to meeting your expectations and take great pride in our ability to produce any style pool that is unique to you and in harmony with your home.

We use only the most state of the art building techniques and materials in the construction of your new pool. Our steel schematics and gunite formulas combine for the strongest built pool in the industry. We are continuously researching the latest trends to bring your the very best and most reliable equipment we can find. The end result is beautiful pool that will center of your family’s outdoor memories.

During the initial building process, pool design is the top priority. A-1 will work with you, architect, or designer to create a pool that becomes an extension your of home and outdoor life. A-1 will provide you a 3D rendering reflecting your dreams giving you a true-to-life result of your ideas of your pool, backyard and home.

We will develop a preliminary budget, which will be massaged and eventually finalized along with your pool design. If needed, once your plans have been completed, we can assist in arranging your construction financing.

The pool is laid out using stakes and wood forms. The form represents the final outer dimensions of the pool shell. We ask that you be present during this process to coordinate and approve any final changes to the design.

The excavation process is now ready to begin. The earth from your pool is either hauled away or kept on site for back-filling as necessary for later phases of construction.

Plumbing: Schedule 40 PVC pipe, will be placed optimally to create a efficient and clean pool. This includes placement of main drain, skimmer, hydro-therapy jets, automatic cleaner, waterfall, and any other mechanical lines. All piping is pressure tested prior to gunite placement to insure against any leaks.

Steel: 3/8″ steel reinforcing bars are placed to strengthen the gunite shell. The steel is worked into the pool’s shape and extra steel is used at points of high stress. The reinforcing steel is securely tied in place. On the day of guniting, the bars are rechecked and placed to ensure maximum strength from the shell.

Electrical:They will inspect your service panel and determine the exact distance to the mechanical location. They will also bond the steel structure and call in your 1st inspection. This is the time to talk about any future electrical, nightscaping, speakers, etc.

Inspections: Our construction office will notify both the inspection departments, prior to gunite. We have placed the permit near your home. Please make sure the building permit is still accessible for signing by these inspectors. If the permit is not there, please notify us immediately.

This is where a hole in a ground becomes a permanent structure. There are many large trucks on site the day of gunite. There will be a lot of activity, noise, and dust with heavy equipment, and workers. Keep an eye on your children and pets, and be neighborly and give your neighbors advance notice . It’s exciting to watch, but we recommend keeping all nearby doors and windows closed throughout the guniting operation. Beginning the next day, you should wet down the gunite shell two times per day for seven days to facilitate the curing process. Do not become alarmed if any water accumulates in the bottom of the pool. During these seven days, 85% of the eventual concrete cure takes place, and it is now possible to resume the construction process. Forms will be stripped, any necessary back-filling performed, and preliminary deck grading will take place.

A 6″ band of tile is applied to the top inside edge of your pool. This tile border allows for easy cleaning at the water line.

If your pool is to be edged with coping, field stone or other, our stone mason now installs this finish. Otherwise, the cantilever edge of the deck provides the pool’s top finish. If your pool has a water feature don’t be alarmed when you see a “pile of rocks”. The finish touches are running water and your final landscape.

This is very important because the deck is the entertainment area around the pool. After the layout, take the time to be comfortable with the design. It is not uncommon to make deck changes to accommodate chaise lounges or tables in the laid out area to create the perfect entertainment area.

The deck pour entails large concrete trucks down the access road. It is very important that all cars are cleared to allow access and that all children are kept out of the area.

Depending on your choice of decking (plain, exposed aggregate, pavers or stamped) the steps may vary at this time. Exposed Aggregate and Stamped Concrete are multi-day processes, so don’t be alarmed if your deck doesn’t look the right color after it is poured. The expansion joints are saw cut in the stamped pattern, so you may see some hairline cracks, but the deck is reinforced with 3/8” steel rebar.

Before this final step is accomplished, it is essential that the pool and surrounding area are kept as clean as possible, and your fence or temporary fence has been installed to meet both local and state codes prior to filling the pool. Any projects which create dirt, dust, smoke or other mess, must be completed beforehand, or postponed until later. The sparkling cleanliness of a fine quality pool depends not only upon the ability of our craftsmen, but in keeping the pool as clean as possible until it is filled. We cannot be responsible for footprints or stains caused by dirt, fertilizer, dust, and other debris from construction, landscape projects or winds.

Once the filling operation has begun, NEVER turn off the water or move the hose from its original position until the level has risen to the middle of the tile band. This eliminates the possibility of a dirt ring, which is difficult to remove. When the pool is full, please turn off the water and inform us. Under normal conditions it is not necessary to call us until the pool is full. There is no harm in not having the filter on, for up to a week after filling. There is also no harm to the pool swimming in the pool before the filter is started.